JP4871835B2 - Image creation method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image generation method for generating an image using the data read by the reading equipment reads the object having an uneven portion on the flat portion.

  An example of a subject having a flat portion and having a concavo-convex portion on the flat portion includes paper having a pen impression. The writing indentation is an uneven portion (deformed dent) formed on the second and subsequent sheets of paper when writing letters or diagrams on overlapping paper with a writing instrument by pressing the tip of the writing instrument. In particular, when the object to be written is a character, it is also called a writing impression character. And it is often necessary to interpret such writing impressions at the document appraisal site for criminal investigations. Specifically, the visualized writing impression is recorded as a photograph or image data, and the reading of the writing impression is performed using the photograph or image data.

  Conventionally, as a method of visualizing a pen impression, a method of irradiating light on a subject obliquely with a light source that guides light from a light bulb through an optical fiber so as not to burn paper as a subject is known. And the shadow which arises in a pen impression (uneven | corrugated | grooved part) by such oblique light is image | photographed with the digital camera or the film camera. In such a method, when light is incident from various directions at the same time, the shadow that should be generated by the pen impression (uneven portion) disappears, and therefore, light is generally incident from one direction.

  However, when light is incident from one direction, the light source is parallel to the writing impression mark (uneven portion) parallel to the optical axis that causes the light to enter the subject, that is, the direction component parallel to the plane portion of the subject of the oblique light axis. There is no shadow on the writing impression (uneven portion). Therefore, it is difficult to visualize all of the plurality of writing impression marks (uneven portions) having various directional components such as characters and drawings at the same time. Therefore, the direction in which light is incident is changed, multiple images are taken, and the best image is selected from among them for interpretation, or multiple images are arranged side by side, and the information obtained from each is collected. Then, the method of trying to interpret is taken.

  However, in any of the methods, since the subject is irradiated with light having a spread, for example, when imaging a large sheet of large paper such as A4 size, the incident angle of oblique rays with respect to the part to be imaged is constant. Therefore, variations in the appearance of the shadow of the pen impression (uneven portion) are caused. Furthermore, since the amount of light applied to the subject decreases as the distance from the center of the optical axis decreases, there arises a problem that the background density and shadow density are not uniform.

  Therefore, when shooting with a digital camera, density conversion is performed in image processing to improve brightness and contrast, or when shooting with a film camera, follow-up or multiple exposure when printing on photographic paper. Or make full use of such techniques. However, the difference in the density of the shadow depending on the direction of the writing impression (irregularity), and the variation in the shadow of the writing impression (irregularity) and the density in the background due to uneven light irradiation are slightly improved. The problem is not completely solved.

Therefore, in view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image creation method capable of stably reading uneven portions on a planar portion of a subject regardless of the size of the subject. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image creation method capable of creating an image in which uneven portions in a plane portion of a subject having various directional components are clarified.

Image forming method according to the invention supports at least read one uneven portion concave in the closed and and one surface of reads an object that will be formed in a convex portion of the other surface head, the subject flat surface portion supporting and a section, the read head, a light source for incident light from the oblique to the plane of the object, and a reading section reads the light reflected by the flat portion of the object, at least one of reading collector head and the supporting part on the other hand Is an image creation method for reading a subject using a reader configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject and to be rotatable about a direction orthogonal to the plane portion of the subject. A step of reading one side of the subject, a step of reading the other side of the subject, and a step of creating a composite image for combining the read data. And butterflies.
The image creating method according to the present invention includes a reading head that reads an object that has at least one uneven portion on a flat surface and can be deformed so that the uneven portion is flat, and a support portion that supports the object. The reading head includes a light source that makes light incident on the plane portion of the subject obliquely and a reading portion that reads the light reflected by the plane portion of the subject, and at least one of the reading head and the support portion is a portion of the subject. An image creation method for reading a subject using a reading device configured to be movable in a direction parallel to a plane portion and rotatable about a direction orthogonal to the plane portion of the subject. A step of reading a subject before being read, a step of reading a subject deformed so that the concavo-convex portion becomes flat, and a differential image for extracting the concavo-convex portion using each read data. Characterized in that it comprises a step of.
Further, in the image creating method according to the present invention, the reading device includes a pair of pressing members arranged so as to face each other with a subject interposed therebetween and having a planar pressing portion that presses the subject, and the pair of pressing members includes , At least one of them can be displaced in a direction opposite to each other between a position where the object is separated from the object and a position where the object is abutted from both sides to press the object so as to deform the object so that the uneven portion is flat. The at least one pressing member may be formed to be translucent so that the reading head can read the subject.

  According to the present invention, with respect to a subject having a flat portion and having at least one uneven portion on the flat portion, in the reading head, the light source makes light incident obliquely on the flat portion of the subject, and the reading portion is the flat surface of the subject. Read the light reflected by the unit. Therefore, the uneven portion of the subject can be extracted and read. The support portion supports the subject, and at least one of the reading head and the support portion moves in a direction parallel to the flat portion of the subject, so that the entire subject can be read in a substantially uniform light state. Further, by rotating at least one of the reading head and the support portion about a direction orthogonal to the plane portion of the subject, the subject (uneven portion) can be moved from a plurality of directions (angles) in a substantially uniform light state. Can be read.

Further, in the image creation method according to the present invention, a plurality of light sources are provided so that light can enter from different directions with respect to the portion of the plane portion of the subject read by the reading unit, and each can be individually lit. May be. According to such a configuration, the plurality of light sources that can be individually lit enter the light from different directions with respect to the position of the plane portion of the subject read by the reading unit. As a result, depending on the direction in which the light source is incident, the uneven portion can be strengthened and read with respect to the background portion of the subject (a planar portion other than the uneven portion). Therefore, it is possible to acquire the data of the best uneven portion, and it is also possible to extract information (data) of only the uneven portion by comparing the information (data) of the uneven portion with respect to the background portion.

Further, the image creating method according to the present invention includes a step of rotating at least one of the reading head and the support unit by rotating at least one of the reading head and the subject by a predetermined angle in the reading device, and a step of reading the subject at every predetermined angle; And a step of creating a composite image by matching the angular phases of the plurality of read data . According to this configuration, at least one of the reading head and the support unit is rotated to read the subject rotated by a predetermined angle. Thereby, a subject (uneven portion) can be read from a plurality of directions, and a composite image can be created by matching the angle phases of the read data.

  In the image creating method according to the present invention, the above-described reading device reads each of a subject by turning on one of the light sources, and reading a subject by turning on at least one of the other light sources. And a step of creating a difference image for extracting irregularities using data. According to such a configuration, one of the light sources is turned on to read the subject, and at least one other light source is turned on to read the subject. Thereby, it is possible to read the background portion (a planar portion other than the uneven portion) of the subject with the uneven portion being strengthened or read with the weak portion. As a result, by performing data processing (difference) so as to erase the background portion (for example, a pattern or the like) of the subject using the read data, it is possible to create a difference image for extracting the uneven portion. Therefore, when a subject with a pattern or the like is read, the uneven portion is recognized on the data in the same manner as the pattern or the like, but by using the difference between both data, an image in which the uneven portion is extracted is acquired. be able to.

  Further, the image creating method according to the present invention may include a step of reading both sides of the subject with respect to the flat subject. According to such a configuration, in order to read both sides of the subject, for example, both sides of the subject are formed so that the concave portion on one surface becomes the convex portion on the other surface (the uneven portion straddles both surfaces). By synthesizing the read data of (corresponding concave and convex portions), it is possible to more effectively acquire the image of the concave and convex portions.

As described above, according to the image creation method of the present invention, the entire subject can be read in a substantially uniform light state, and the subject (uneven portion) can be read from a plurality of directions in a substantially uniform light state. Therefore, regardless of the size of the subject, there is an excellent effect that the uneven portion in the flat portion of the subject can be stably read.

  In addition, according to the image creation method of the present invention, since a composite image is created by combining the angular phases of a plurality of data obtained by reading a subject (uneven portion) from a plurality of directions, a plane portion of the subject having various direction components This produces an excellent effect that an image can be created in which the uneven portion is clear.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a reading apparatus according to the present invention and an image creating apparatus including the same will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, an object having an uneven portion with an edge with respect to a flat portion (background portion, ie, a flat portion other than the uneven portion), specifically, a flat portion (background portion) The following description will be made with a subject having an uneven portion where the boundary line is discontinuous, more specifically, a paper having a pen impression as a subject.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reading device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a drawing unit 3 configured to be drawable (slidable) with respect to the main body 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the reading device 1 has a flat surface portion, and a light source that makes light incident obliquely on the flat surface portion of the subject X with respect to the subject X having at least one uneven portion on the flat surface portion. 4 and 4 and a reading head 6 having a reading unit 5 for reading light reflected by the plane portion of the subject X. The reading device 1 includes a support unit 7 that supports the subject X. The read head 6 is provided in the main body 2, and the support portion 7 is provided in the drawer portion 3. Then, the reading head 6 is opposed to the support portion 7 and is disposed on the upper side in a state where the drawer portion 3 (support portion 7) is accommodated in the main body 2.

  A plurality of light sources 4 and 4 are provided to allow light to enter from different directions with respect to the portion of the planar portion of the subject X read by the reading unit 5. Specifically, in the light sources 4 and 4, each optical axis L <b> 1 that makes light incident on the plane portion of the subject X is substantially symmetric with respect to the direction L <b> 2 of reflected light (light reflected by the subject X) read by the reading unit 5. A pair is provided so that The light sources 4 and 4 are configured to be individually lit (turned off). The light source 4 is configured in a line shape. Specifically, the light source 4 is configured in a line shape in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X. More specifically, the light source 4 is configured by arranging LEDs (white) in a line shape.

  The reading unit 5 is configured to be able to read light in a predetermined direction L2 among the light reflected (diffused) by the plane portion of the subject X. Specifically, the reading unit 5 is configured to be able to read light in a direction L2 orthogonal to the plane part of the subject X out of light reflected (diffused) by the plane part of the subject X. More specifically, the reading unit 5 is configured to be able to read a line-shaped portion in a plane portion of the subject X that is parallel to the light source 4 formed in a line shape.

  Further, the reading unit 5 includes an optical system (not shown) that converges at least a part of light reflected (diffused) by the plane part of the subject X, and an image sensor (not shown) that receives the converged light. The optical system includes a lens (not shown) that converges light. Note that the optical system may include a reflection mirror that changes the optical path as necessary. The imaging element is configured in a line shape. Specifically, the image sensor is a line CCD sensor. The image sensor is not limited to a line CCD sensor, and may be any device that converts the amount of light received by an area CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, or the like into electrical data.

  The support unit 7 is configured to be able to place the subject X. Specifically, the support portion 7 is configured so that the subject X can be placed on an upper surface portion formed in a planar shape. The support unit 7 is configured to be able to fix the subject X. Specifically, the support unit 7 is configured to be able to suck the subject X so as to fix the subject X. More specifically, the support portion 7 includes a plurality of pores (not shown) in a portion (upper surface portion) in contact with the subject X, and is configured to be able to suck the subject X from the pores. For example, since the upper surface portion of the support portion 7 is formed of a hard porous material, the support portion 7 allows the subject X to be placed on the entire upper surface portion by pores (for example, a diameter of about 5 μm) provided in the entire upper surface portion. It is configured so that it can be adsorbed by a uniform load.

  Further, the reading device 1 is configured such that at least one of the reading head 6 and the support portion 7 can move in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X. Specifically, at least one of the reading head 6 and the support unit 7 is incident on the light sources 4 and 4 (the angle between the optical axis L1 at which the light source 4 enters the subject X and the plane portion of the subject X). The reading head 6 is configured to be movable so as to be relatively displaced along the plane portion of the subject X while maintaining the above.

  More specifically, the reading head 6 is parallel to the upper surface portion of the planar support portion 7 on which the subject X is placed, and is in a line-shaped portion in the plane portion of the subject X read by the reading portion 5. It is configured to be able to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4). That is, the read head 6 is configured to be able to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the line-shaped light sources 4 and 4.

  Further, the reading device 1 is configured to be rotatable about at least one of the reading head 6 and the support portion 7 about a direction orthogonal to the plane portion of the subject X. Specifically, at least one of the reading head 6 and the support unit 7 is configured to be rotatable about the direction in which the reading head 6 and the subject X face each other while maintaining the incident angle of the light sources 4 and 4. The More specifically, the support portion 7 is configured to be able to rotate while fixing the subject X and maintaining the plane portion of the subject X parallel to the direction in which the reading head 6 reciprocates.

  The reading head 6 is configured to be able to read the entire area of the subject X by moving in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X. Specifically, the reading head 6 is configured to be able to read the entire area of the subject X placed on the upper surface portion of the support portion 7 by moving in a direction parallel to the upper surface portion of the support portion 7. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the reading head 6 has a reading width D1 of the subject X (the upper surface of the support portion 7) with respect to the rectangular subject X (the upper surface portion of the rectangular support portion 7). Part) is configured to be equal to or longer than the length of the diagonal line. The reading area S1 of the reading head 6 is a rectangular area formed with the reading width D1 of the reading head 6 and the moving distance D2 of the reading head 6 as sides.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an image creating apparatus 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as “image creating apparatus”) including the reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment rotates at least one of the reading head 6 and the support unit 7. The subject X is rotated by a predetermined angle, and the subject X is read at every predetermined angle (specifically, the light source 4 makes light incident on the plane portion of the subject X and reads the light reflected by the plane portion of the subject X). The control unit 101 configured to be controllable in this way and the calculation unit 102 configured to be able to create a composite image by combining the angular phases of a plurality of read data. In addition, the control unit 101 is configured to be controllable so that at least one of the reading head 6 and the support unit 7 is moved and the entire area of the subject X is read by the reading head 6.

  Specifically, the calculation unit 102 converts the data (image) obtained by reading the subject X from the plurality of directions with the reading head 6 into a relative displacement angle from an arbitrary reference direction between the reading head 6 and the support unit 7 (subject X). It is configured to be able to stand upright by rotating in reverse. In addition, the calculation unit 102 is configured to be able to superimpose images by prioritizing pixels (low-density pixels) with a small amount of light received by the reading head 6 (imaging device).

  The image creating apparatus 100 is configured to be able to create an image for a predetermined reading target area (hereinafter also simply referred to as “target area”). Specifically, the image creating apparatus 100 automatically calculates the target area according to the relative displacement angle between the reading head 6 and the support unit 7 (subject X) based on the target area set in advance, and the reading head 6 is configured to be capable of adjusting at least one of the moving distance and the data processing area.

  The image creating apparatus 100 includes a storage unit 103 that stores various data. Furthermore, the image creating apparatus 100 includes an output unit 104 that outputs and displays various data. The control unit 101 is configured to be able to control the reading device 1, the calculation unit 102, the storage unit 103, and the output unit 104. For example, when the reading unit 6 is reciprocated to read the subject X, the control unit 101 switches the light sources 4 and 4 that are turned on in the forward path and the return path, or lights both the light sources 4 and 4. It is configured to be controllable.

  The configurations of the reading apparatus 1 and the image creating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment are as described above. Next, operations of the reading apparatus 1 and the image creating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the drawer 3 is slid from the main body 2 and pulled out, and the subject X is placed on the support 7 provided in the drawer 3. Then, when the subject X is sucked from a plurality of pores provided on the upper surface portion of the planar support portion 7 on which the subject X is placed, the subject X is fixed to the support portion 7. In addition, when the flat part of the subject X is surely flat and is not fixed (fixed in a state where wrinkles or the like are generated), the wrinkles or the like become an obstacle to reading the concavo-convex part (writing impression mark). The subject X is stretched and fixed using a jig or the like having a shaped portion.

  Further, when the subject X is small enough not to cover the entire upper surface portion of the support portion 7 (cannot block all the pores on the upper surface portion), the suction force for fixing the subject X is reduced. An occlusion member (not shown) formed so as to be occluded may be disposed on the support portion 7. The blocking member may be, for example, an annular sheet member that covers a portion of the upper surface portion of the support portion 7 that cannot be covered by the subject X, that is, an outer sheet member disposed outside the outer edge of the subject X. Then, the drawer unit 3 is slid again to set the subject X.

  Here, with respect to the subject X having a concavo-convex portion on the flat portion, in the reading head 6, the light sources 4 and 4 make light incident obliquely on the flat portion of the subject X, and the reading portion 5 is orthogonal to the flat portion of the subject X. Read the light reflected (diffused). Specifically, when the light sources 4 and 4 are tilted and light is incident on the subject X, an edge shadow is formed in the uneven portion (writing impression), so that the uneven portion (writing impression) is surrounded by a flat planar portion. It can be seen darker than (background part).

  Then, with the incident angle of the light sources 4 and 4 being maintained, the read head 6 reciprocates along the plane portion of the subject X fixed to the support portion 7, so that the read head 6 has the direction of incident light. Read subject X for one direction. In this case, since the light sources 4 and 4 can be turned on (turned off) independently of each other, the light source 4 to be turned on is switched between the forward path and the return path. As a result, the reading head 6 can read the subject X corresponding to two directions of incident light in one reciprocating movement.

  Further, in a state where the incident angles of the light sources 4 and 4 are maintained, the support portion 7 rotates to a predetermined angle around the direction perpendicular to the plane portion of the subject X. Then, at each angle (position), the reading head 6 moves in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X, so that the reading head 6 reads the subject X at each angle.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the reading target region S2 is the entire rectangular object X, the moving distance D3 of the reading head 6 changes according to the rotation angle of the support unit 7. Specifically, an area where the subject X exists (reading target area S2) is automatically calculated according to the rotation angle, and the moving distance D3 of the reading head 6 is changed for each rotation angle.

  For example, when the moving distance D3 of the reading head 6 when the rotation angle is 0 degrees is a long side of a rectangular shape, the moving distance D3 of the reading head 6 when the subject X (support portion 7) rotates 90 degrees. Becomes the shortest side of the rectangular shape and becomes the minimum. In this case, the maximum value of the moving distance D3 of the reading head 6 is a rectangular diagonal length in the subject X (reading target region S2). The movable distance D4 of the reading head 6 is set to be longer than the rectangular diagonal length. That is, the moving distance D3 of the reading head 6 is included in the movable distance D4 of the reading head 6 for any rotation angle, and the reading target area S2 is included in the readable area S3.

  Instead of adjusting the moving distance of the reading head 6 as described above, only the data of the area where the subject X exists (reading target area S2) is subjected to image processing such as data acquisition and image rotation and superposition. You may go. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the reading target area S4 is a part of the subject X, the moving distance D5 of the reading head 6 may be changed based on the reading target area S4 set in advance. Alternatively, image processing such as data acquisition, image rotation, and superposition may be performed only for the data in the reading target region S4.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, when a subject X having a substantially A-shaped concavo-convex portion is read from a plurality of directions, the acquired plurality of images are as shown in FIGS. 8B to 8G. In addition, uneven portions (writing impressions) in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the reading head 6 (directions of arrows in FIGS. 8B to 8G) appear darkly and clearly, and the moving direction of the reading head 6 In addition, the uneven portion (writing impression) in the parallel direction does not appear, and the other uneven portion (writing impression) appears at an intermediate density between them (the readable region in FIGS. 8B to 8G is a dotted line) The target area is indicated by a solid line).

  8B is the reference position (0 degree), FIG. 8C is the position where the subject X is rotated about 20 degrees from the reference position, and FIG. 8D is the position where the subject X is rotated about 70 degrees from the reference position. FIG. 8E shows the position where the subject X has rotated about 90 degrees from the reference position, FIG. 8F shows the position where the subject X has rotated about 110 degrees from the reference position, and FIG. 8G shows the position from the reference position. This is an image acquired at a position where the subject X is rotated about 160 degrees.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, the acquired images at the respective angles (the readable area is indicated by a dotted line and the reading target area is indicated by a solid line), as shown in FIG. 9B, the reading head 6 Further, the support unit 7 (subject X) is turned upright by being reversely rotated by the relative displacement angle. Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the image in the extra area is trimmed with respect to the reading target area.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 10, after such processing is performed on each image, the images are superimposed with priority given to pixels with low density. Specifically, the images are overlapped by a MIN operation that selects the minimum value of the density between images (in FIG. 10, only the image to be read is shown, and the image reading state, the image upright state, and Shows the superposition of images). Therefore, it is possible to extract the shadow of the concavo-convex portion (writing impression mark) having various directional components from each image, and it is possible to represent clear characters and diagrams in the obtained superimposed image.

  Note that for image rotation processing (reverse rotation), an operation such as matrix product operation called affine transformation is used. Each image such as a superimposed image or a read image is output as digital data such as a bitmap format or JPEG format.

  As described above, the reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can read the entire area of the subject X in a substantially uniform light state because the reading head 6 can move in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X. Furthermore, since the support portion 7 can rotate around the direction orthogonal to the plane portion of the subject X, the subject X (uneven portion) can be read from a plurality of directions in a substantially uniform light state. Therefore, the uneven portion of the subject X can be stably read regardless of the size of the subject X.

  In addition, in the reading device 1 according to the present embodiment, the reflected light (subject X) in which each optical axis L1 incident on the subject X in the pair of light sources 4 and 4 is read by the reading unit 5 orthogonal to the plane portion of the subject X. Therefore, the state in which one light source 4 is turned on to read the subject X and the state in which the other light source 4 is turned on to read the subject X are supported by the support portion. 7 is substantially the same as the state rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the reading head 6. Therefore, for example, the subject X can be read from all directions (360 degrees) only by rotating the support unit 7 180 degrees with respect to the reading head 6.

  The image creating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment sequentially performs narrow-area imaging of the subject X with the reading head 6 at an arbitrary relative displacement angle between the reading head 6 and the support unit 7 (subject X). Connect the images to create the whole image. That is, since it is a so-called scanner system, any narrow area can be imaged with light (incident angle, light amount) in the same state, and substantially the entire area of the subject X can be imaged with the same incident angle and uniform light intensity. Therefore, regardless of the size of the subject X, it is possible to stably capture the shadow and the background portion generated in the uneven portion (writing impression mark), and it is possible to create an entire image with no density variation.

  In addition, since the support unit 7 is rotated with respect to the reading head 6 and the subject X is read by the reading head 6 from a plurality of directions, uneven portions (writing impression marks) in any direction can be captured on any image. . Since a composite image can be created by matching the angular phases of a plurality of read data, it is possible to create an image in which the uneven portions (writing impression marks) of the subject X having various directional components are clarified. Therefore, since the image of the uneven part (characters and drawings of the pen impression) whose form has been clarified is output, for example, it is possible to easily read the pen impression.

  Further, since the image creating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment limits the moving distance D3 of the reading head 6 to the reading target area S2, the total reading time can be shortened, and further, the reading target area S2 (subject of the read data) Since image processing is performed only on data in the area where X exists, the amount of data can be reduced. Therefore, the CPU load and the number of memory accesses can be reduced, so that the processing time can be shortened.

  Note that the reading apparatus and the image creation method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the reading apparatus according to the present invention, the flat subject X is formed so that the concave portion on one surface becomes a convex portion on the other surface (the concave and convex portions straddle both surfaces), and is deformed by an external force. On the other hand, in order to prevent the support unit that supports (fixes) the subject X in contact with the subject X from deforming the subject X so that the uneven portion is flat, May be formed of an elastic material that is more easily deformed than the subject X.

  According to such a configuration, the portion of the support portion that contacts the subject X along the subject X is formed of an elastic material that is more easily deformed than the subject X with respect to the flat subject X that is deformed by an external force. When the subject X is in contact with the subject X and is supported (fixed) by a method in which an external force such as suction or pressing is applied, the subject X is deformed so that the uneven portion becomes flat. Can be prevented.

  Therefore, the uneven portion can be reliably read by maintaining the shape of the uneven portion while reliably supporting (fixing) the subject X. Specifically, as in the reading device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, that is, in the support unit 7 on which the subject X is placed and supported (fixed) on the upper surface, the upper surface is more easily deformed than the subject X. For example, it may be formed of a sponge-like elastic material.

  Further, in the image creating method according to the present invention, a plurality of light sources are provided so that light can enter from different directions with respect to the portion of the plane portion of the subject X read by the reading unit, and each of them can be individually turned on (turned off). And reading a subject X by turning on one of the light sources, reading a subject X by turning on at least one of the other light sources, and extracting the concavo-convex portion using the read data. Creating a difference image.

  In order to enable the image creation method, for example, in the image creation device, the control unit turns on one of the light sources to read the subject X, and turns on at least one other light source to turn on the subject X. May be configured so as to be read (or vice versa), and the calculation unit may be configured to be able to create a difference image that extracts the concavo-convex portion using the read data. Note that when reading the subject X with at least one other light source turned on, either one of the light sources turned on may remain on or may be turned off.

  According to this configuration, since one of the light sources is turned on to read the subject X, and at least one other light source is turned on to read the subject X, the background portion of the subject X (planar shape other than the uneven portion) Can be read with the concavo-convex portion strengthened or weakened. Accordingly, by processing the data so as to erase the background portion (pattern or the like) of the subject X using the read data, it is possible to create a difference image for extracting the uneven portion. Accordingly, when an object X having a pattern or the like is read, the uneven portion is recognized on the data in the same manner as the pattern or the like. However, an image in which the uneven portion is extracted can be acquired by the difference between the two data. it can.

  Specifically, as in the image creating apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment, that is, in the image creating apparatus 100 in which the reading head 6 includes the pair of light sources 4 and 4, one of the light sources 4 is turned on. The read data can be compared with the case where both the light sources 4 and 4 are turned on. For example, when a subject X having a concavo-convex portion (writing impression) on a paper on which a pattern (character) is drawn is turned on to read the subject X, the concavo-convex portion is also displayed together with the pattern (character). It appears clearly.

  When both the light sources 4 and 4 are turned on and the subject X is read, the shadows of the concavo-convex portions hardly appear with both the light sources 4 and 4, so that the concavo-convex portions hardly appear and only the pattern (characters) appears. Accordingly, when a pattern (character) is processed so that the pattern (characters) can be eliminated by the difference between the respective data, and a difference image between the two data is created, an image (data) from which the uneven portion is extracted is obtained.

  Further, the image creating method according to the present invention may include a step of reading both sides of the subject X with respect to the flat subject X. In order to enable such an image creation method, for example, the reading apparatus according to the present invention may be configured such that the support portion can rotate the subject X around the direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X. Alternatively, a pair of reading heads may be provided with the subject X interposed therebetween, and a support unit may support the subject X so that the pair of reading heads can read the planar portion of the subject X, respectively.

  Specifically, the support portion includes a pair of translucent plate members (for example, glass plates), and the pair of plate members are configured to be able to hold the subject X so as to support (fix) the subject X. Also good. In addition, the support part can be rotated about a direction parallel to the plane part of the subject X, or a pair of read heads are provided with the subject X (support part) interposed therebetween, and are parallel to the plane part of the subject X. It may be movable in any direction.

  According to such a configuration, since both sides of the subject X can be read, for example, when it is difficult to visually confirm (confirm) the uneven portion, an image can be created without missing the uneven portion. Note that such an image creation method may be performed by turning the subject X directly with the hand of the operator without adopting a special configuration in the reading apparatus as described above.

  In the image creating method according to the present invention, the direction in which the light source enters light into the subject X (incident angle of the light source) and the direction of reflected light (light reflected by the subject X) read by the reading unit (reading by the reading unit). A step of reading the subject X before being changed by a reading head capable of changing at least one of the reflection angle), a step of changing at least one of the incident angle of the light source and the reading reflection angle of the reading unit, and change The step of reading the subject X after having performed, and the step of creating a difference image for extracting the concavo-convex portion using the data before and after the change may be provided.

  In order to enable such an image creating method, for example, in the reading apparatus according to the present invention, the reading head may be configured to change at least one of the incident angle of the light source and the reading reflection angle of the reading unit. Good. Specifically, the light source and the reading unit may be configured to be relatively displaceable, and the reading head and the support unit may be configured to be relatively displaceable.

  According to such a configuration, for example, for a subject X having a pattern or the like, the reading unit recognizes the uneven portion and the pattern in the same way on the data, but the incident angle of the light source and the reading reflection angle of the reading unit are the same. By changing at least one of them, there is a difference between the amount of change in the pattern or the like and the amount of change in the concavo-convex part. Therefore, the information on the concavo-convex part can be extracted by comparing the information of both subjects X. it can.

  For example, in order to make the shadow caused by the edge of the concavo-convex part (writing impression) thicker (clearly), the light is blocked by the warped part of the subject X (paper) that is formed outside the edge of the concavo-convex part (writing impression). Within the range, the incident angle at which the light source enters the subject X (the angle between the direction perpendicular to the plane portion of the subject X and the direction at which the light source enters the subject X) may be increased, and the uneven portion ( In order to finely represent the shadow caused by the edge of the writing impression), the incident angle may be reduced. In particular, the light source and the reading unit are arranged so that the direction in which the light source enters light into the subject X and the direction of the reflected light (light reflected by the subject X) read by the reading unit are substantially orthogonal to the plane part of the subject X. If it arrange | positions, the shadow produced by the edge of an uneven | corrugated | grooved part (writing indentation) can also be substantially eliminated.

  Further, in the image creating method according to the present invention, for the flat subject X that can be deformed by external force, the step of reading the subject X before being deformed, and the subject X is deformed so that the uneven portion is flat. A step of reading the subject X after being deformed so that the concavo-convex portion becomes flat, and a step of creating a difference image using read data before and after the deformation.

  In order to be able to implement such an image creation method, for example, in the reading apparatus according to the present invention, a pair of objects X are arranged in a direction in which the reading head and the object X are opposed to each other, and the image forming method is planar. A pressing member having a pressing part and capable of pressing the subject X between the pressing parts, wherein the pair of pressing members is formed in a flat plate shape capable of transmitting at least one of the pair of pressing members; In order to prevent deformation of the subject X with respect to the subject X deformed by an external force, at least one of the subject X is separated from the subject X, and the subject X is deformed so that the uneven portion is flat. It may be configured to be relatively displaceable in a direction facing each other to a position where both are in contact with the subject X and press the subject.

  Note that one pressing member may be a support portion that supports (fixes) the subject X, and the pair of pressing members may support portions that support (fix) the subject X. Specifically, as with the reading device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, that is, with respect to the reading device 1 including the support portion 7 on which the subject X is placed on a flat upper surface portion, the reading head 6 and the subject A pressing member that is arranged between X and capable of pressing the subject X with the upper surface portion of the support portion 7. The pressing member is formed in a translucent flat plate shape and further deformed by an external force (one of the subjects X) It is possible to move to a position away from the subject X and a position where the subject X is pressed with respect to the flat subject X) formed so that the concave portion on the surface becomes a convex portion on the other surface and deformed by external force May be configured.

  According to such a configuration, for example, for a subject X having a pattern or the like, the reading unit recognizes the uneven portion and the pattern in the same manner, but by deforming the uneven portion into a flat shape by the pressing member, before and after the deformation In the data read by, a change occurs only in the uneven portion. Therefore, by comparing the information of both subjects X, it is possible to extract the information of the uneven portion.

  Further, in the reading device 1 and the image creation method according to the above-described embodiment, the case where the subject X is paper having uneven portions (writing impression marks) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. The subject X may have at least one uneven portion.

  Further, the reading apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment has been described as including one reading head 6, but may include two or more reading heads. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the reading apparatus includes two reading heads 10 and 10, and the reading heads 10 and 10 cross each other in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X. May be arranged. Specifically, the two reading heads 10 and 10 are arranged so that respective directions (directions of arrows in FIG. 11A) moving along the subject X are orthogonal to each other.

  According to such a configuration, as in the reading device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, read data from four directions (up, down, left, and right) can be acquired by reciprocating the subject X with the reading head 10 having a pair of light sources. In this configuration, when reading the reading target area S5 set in advance for the subject X, as shown in FIG. 11B, the movement distances D6 and D7 of each reading head 10 and the data processing areas are set and read. Perform operations and data processing.

  Further, the reading apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment has been described with respect to the case where the reading head 6 includes two light sources 4 and 4. However, the reading head 6 is not limited to such a case, and the reading head 1 may include one or more light sources. Good.

  When the reading head has only one light source, the rotation angle range of the subject X is preferably 0 to 360 degrees. However, when the rotation angle of the subject X is 180 degrees, the uneven portion (brush Since the indentation) is considered to be the same, the rotation angle range may be 0 to 180 degrees. In such a case, since the number of rotations of the subject X and the number of readings by the reading head are halved, the total processing time can be reduced to about half.

  However, since only the shadow of one (one) edge of the concavo-convex portion (writing impression) can be captured, the thickness of the line of the concavo-convex portion (letters or drawings which are writing indentations) on the superimposed image becomes thin. Therefore, the rotation angle range of the subject X may be selectable so as to determine the rotation angle range of the subject X depending on whether the clarity of the image of the uneven portion or the processing time is given priority.

  Moreover, although the reader 1 which concerns on the said embodiment demonstrated the case where a pair of light sources 4 and 4 were each comprised so that lighting (light extinction) was possible individually, it is not restricted to such a case. For example, a light shielding member is disposed between the light source and the subject X, and the light shielding member has a position where the light source can enter light into the reading area of the subject X (a position where the light from the light source is not shielded) and the light source is the subject X. The light source may be configured to be movable to a position where the light from the light source is blocked in order to prevent light from entering the reading area.

  Alternatively, a mirror is provided between the light source and the subject X (specifically, between the light path from the light source to the subject X) so that light emitted from the light source can enter, and the mirror reflects the reflected light. May be adjustable to a position where the light enters the reading area of the subject X and a position where the reflected light is prevented from entering the subject X (a position where the light is reflected to a region other than the subject X). Specifically, the mirror may be configured to be rotatable so as to adjust the incident angle (reflection angle) of the light emitted from the light source.

  Further, the reading device 1 according to the above embodiment has been described with respect to the case where the reading head 6 includes one reading unit 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the reading head may include two or more reading units.

  In the reading apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, the case where the reading head 6 reciprocates in the direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X has been described. The case where the head and the support part move may be used. In short, it is sufficient that at least one of the reading head and the support portion is movable. Further, the reading head may reciprocate not only in one direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X but also in a plurality of directions, for example, two orthogonal directions (front and rear and left and right). In short, it is sufficient that at least one of the reading head and the support unit is movable in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject X.

  In the reading device 1 according to the above embodiment, the subject X is placed on the upper surface portion of the support portion 7 formed in a planar shape, and the subject X is placed by the reading head 6 disposed above the support portion 7. Although the case of reading from above has been described, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and the reading of the subject X from the side or below may be performed by a reading head disposed on the side or below the support unit or the subject X. For example, a configuration is adopted in which a reading head is disposed below a plate member that can transmit light, such as glass, and on which the subject X can be placed, and the lower surface of the subject X placed on the plate member is read via the plate member. May be.

  In addition, the reading apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment has been described with respect to the case where the support unit 7 rotates about the direction orthogonal to the plane part of the subject X as an axis. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even when the reading head rotates. Alternatively, the reading head and the support unit may rotate.

  Moreover, although the reader 1 according to the above embodiment has described the case where the support unit 7 sucks the subject X from the plurality of pores provided on the upper surface portion and fixes the subject X, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the subject X may be adsorbed and fixed by static electricity, the end of the subject X may be fixed by a magnet, a clip, or the like, and the subject X may be fixed, and a pair of translucent plate members (for example, glass The object X may be fixed by being clamped by a plate. Further, if the subject X does not move due to the weight of the subject X, a mounting table or the like on which the subject X is simply placed may be provided without a special fixing means. In particular, when the reading head moves and rotates without moving and rotating the support unit, the support unit may be a mounting table or the like.

  Further, although the image creation method according to the above embodiment has been described with respect to the case of processing by MIN calculation when images are superimposed, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, it may be multiplication in an operation that considers extracting a low-density part between images, and the shadow generated in the uneven part (writing impression mark) is binarized to black and the bright part of the background part is binarized to white. After that, logical operation may be performed.

  In the method of performing a logical operation after binarization, in the case of binarization in which black has a pixel value of 1 and white has a pixel value of 0, if an OR operation is used as the logical operation, an uneven portion (writing impression mark) Can be represented as black and the background portion as white. In the case of binarization in which black has a pixel value of 0 and white has a pixel value of 1, if the AND operation is used as the logical operation, the uneven portion can be represented as black and the background portion can be represented as white.

  In the image creation method according to the above embodiment, the case where the read data of the subject X is output as an image has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the final result image obtained by superimposing the data is output. But you can.

  In addition, the image creation method according to the above embodiment has been described for reading a preset region of the subject X. However, the image creation method is not limited to this, and press-scanning is performed once at an initial angle (for example, 0 degrees) of the support unit. The boundary between the subject X and the support unit may be detected, and the moving range and data processing region of the read head may be determined based on the detected region of the subject X. In such a case, it is possible to adopt a method in which the color tone is made different between the subject X and the support portion, and the boundary portion is easily detected by binarization processing or edge detection processing of the grayscale image.

  In the image creation method according to the above embodiment, the case where the subject X in a plurality of directions is read by the rotation of the support unit 7 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operator directly rotates the subject X with his / her hand. It may be implemented.

1 is an overall view of a reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a perspective view of a state in which a support portion is accommodated in a main body. FIG. 2 is an overall view of the reading apparatus according to the embodiment, and shows a perspective view in a state in which a support portion is pulled out from the main body. It is a principal part enlarged view of the reader which concerns on the same embodiment, Comprising: A perspective view is shown. It is a principal part enlarged view of the reader which concerns on the same embodiment, Comprising: A front view is shown. An explanatory view explaining a reading area in the reading apparatus according to the embodiment is shown. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image creating apparatus including a reading apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a reading area in the image creating apparatus according to the embodiment, where FIG. 5A illustrates the case where the entire subject is read, and FIG. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a read image in the image creating apparatus according to the embodiment, in which FIG. 3A shows images obtained by reading the subject, and FIGS. It is explanatory drawing explaining the processing method which erects one image in the image production apparatus which concerns on the embodiment, (a) is the image in the read predetermined angle, (b) is erecting the read image An image, (c) shows an image trimmed in the reading target area. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing method for creating a composite image from a plurality of images in the image creation apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a reading apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a perspective view in an enlarged view of a main part, and (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a reading region.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reading apparatus, 4 ... Light source, 5 ... Reading part, 6 ... Reading head, 7 ... Support part, X ... Subject

Claims (3)

At least reading one uneven portion concave in the closed and and one surface of reads an object that will be formed in a convex portion of the other side head flat surface portion, and a support portion for supporting the subject, readhead a light source for incident light from the oblique to the plane of the object, and a reading section reads the light reflected by the flat portion of the object, at least one is a read collector head and the supporting portion, parallel to the planar portion of the object Using a reader configured to be movable in the direction and rotatable about a direction perpendicular to the plane portion of the subject ,
An image creation method for reading a subject,
Reading one side of the subject;
Reading the other side of the subject;
And a step of creating a composite image for combining the read data. The flat surface portion includes at least one uneven portion, and includes a read head that reads an object that can be deformed so that the uneven portion is flat, and a support portion that supports the object. Provided with a light source that enters light obliquely and a reading unit that reads light reflected by the plane portion of the subject, and at least one of the reading head and the support portion is configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the plane portion of the subject And using a reading device configured to be rotatable about a direction orthogonal to the plane portion of the subject,
An image creation method for reading a subject,
Reading the object before being deformed;
Reading the subject deformed so that the uneven portion is flat;
And a step of creating a differential image for extracting the concavo-convex portion using each read data. The reading apparatus includes a pressing member that is disposed in a pair so as to face each other with a subject interposed therebetween and has a planar pressing portion that presses the subject.
The pair of pressing members are opposed to each other at a position where at least one of them is separated from the subject and a position where the subject comes into contact with both sides to press the subject so as to deform the subject so that the uneven portion is flat. Configured to be relatively displaceable in the direction,
The image creating method according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the pressing members is formed to be translucent so that the reading head can read the subject.

Images